How to Create the Perfect Summer Barbecue Setting

Barbecues are one of the most popular types of casual party to host in the summer, and there are a lot of people who look forward to the season simply for the chance to enjoy some good food out in the sun with their friends. Barbecue as a style of cooking is becoming more and more fashionable, and there are plenty of connoisseurs of this style of food who will happily talk to you about the best places to eat barbecue in the world.

Making Your Own Barbecues Like a World Class Restaurant

Of course, while you may not be able to live up to those kind of gourmet standards, you can still make your barbecue parties seem special and exotic by decorating the area in which you will cook and have your guests eating in the best possible way. One of the coolest ways to make your barbecue area shine is by using the right kind of lighting and outdoor heat, and this is actually very easy to do on an affordable, DIY basis.

Setting Up Your Outdoor Area for the Perfect Barbecue

The area you have available for your barbecue party will, of course, depend on the outdoor space you have available. If you already have a large garden, patio or terrace you will only have to worry about lighting it up, covering it, and making sure enough tables and chairs are available, whereas if space is limited you will also want to give the illusion that there is more room than there is or make the party feel cosy with the right use of light and heat.

While some people may feel the barbecue has become too trendy, for most, this is a really great summer social activity, so you want your guests to feel relaxed and comfortable. This is easily achieved with light and warmth. If you are barbecuing in a traditional way over wood or charcoal, the embers themselves will provide warmth as the night gets cooler. But if you are using ‘cheat’ methods and cooking indoors to eat outside, a good patio heater, which you can find easily by visiting sites like Gumtree, is a good purchase to make.

Lights!

Having the right lighting is key, because most barbecues tend to last long into the summer evening to the point when the sun goes down. However, since the night is still warm, people still want to be outside socialising, eating and drinking, so it pays to ensure they can see what they are doing! A good DIY option is to place Christmas style fairy lights on boards around the garden or patio. These shouldn’t be of festive colours, which would look odd, but all in one colour like blue, white or pink.

Lighting up and heating your outdoor areas can make for the perfect summer barbecue, so check in advance where you can find the right heaters and lights and prepare to make your party elegant, fun and comfortable for your guests even when the summer sun sets!